Winning the Edgar Award for "A Cold Day in Paradise," Steve Hamilton introduced one of the most compelling characters in modern fiction: Alex McKnight, a gritty ex-Detroit cop who can't say no to a friend in need-no matter the cost. Now McKnight finds himself in the forests of northern Ontario, a land of savage beauty and sudden danger, where some secrets just won't stay bWinning the Edgar Award for "A Cold Day in Paradise," Steve Hamilton introduced one of the most compelling characters in modern fiction: Alex McKnight, a gritty ex-Detroit cop who can't say no to a friend in need-no matter the cost. Now McKnight finds himself in the forests of northern Ontario, a land of savage beauty and sudden danger, where some secrets just won't stay buried. Alex McKnight isn't a man with many friends, but the few he has know they're never alone in a fix. So when Vinnie LeBlanc asks for his help in taking a trip deep into Canada in search of his missing brother, the Ojibwa Indian knows he can count on Alex. Tom LeBlanc had taken a job as hunting guide for a rough crew of Detroit "businessmen." The group was due back days ago, yet there's been no sign of them, and there's mounting evidence of something odd about their disappearing act. The trackless forests of northern Ontario keep many secrets, but none more shocking than the one that Alex is about to uncover. And the more closely Alex looks for answers, the more the questions become: where are the hunters...and who is the prey?...more

Hardcover

Published
June 1st 2004
by Turtleback Books
(first published January 1st 2003)

Community Reviews

There are several reasons why I like Steve Hamilton's books: 1) Set in the UP in places that I have visited. 2) Simple dialogue and description...one needs a break from James Lee Burke occasionally! 3) Interesting plots and lots of action 4) I just like the way Alex McKnight thinks and talks. Quick, easy, satisfying read. And contrary to what others may say, the books don't have to be read in order. There is enough background to explain who the recurring characters are.

I picked up this paperback and was pleasantly surprised. "An Alex McKnight novel" Vinnie is searching for a brother who went to Canada as a guide for 'businessmen from Detroit'. I loved the combination of hard-core city cop and reservation culture. Good stuff.

What are friends for? Well, Alex McKnight demonstrates just that in this novel which takes him and his erstwhile friend, Vinnie Le Blanc, on a stormy adventure way up in the wilds of northern Canada. It starts when Vinnie, with whom Alex has been at odds since an event in the previous novel in the series, asks Alex to help him find his brother, who is days overdue returning home after accompanying a hunting party as their scout at a Canadian lodge.

To complicate matters, Vinnie’s brother Tom is oWhat are friends for? Well, Alex McKnight demonstrates just that in this novel which takes him and his erstwhile friend, Vinnie Le Blanc, on a stormy adventure way up in the wilds of northern Canada. It starts when Vinnie, with whom Alex has been at odds since an event in the previous novel in the series, asks Alex to help him find his brother, who is days overdue returning home after accompanying a hunting party as their scout at a Canadian lodge.

To complicate matters, Vinnie’s brother Tom is on parole and is forbidden to leave the country. So he and Vinnie trade identities. Alex and his friend drive for hours until they reach the lodge, and there is no sign of Tom or the hunting party. But something seems “off,” and they begin to scout the area where the group was housed at a lake further north. And thereby hangs a gruesome tale.

The author, known for his vivid descriptions of the Upper Michigan peninsula, shows an equal facility for the vast untamed wilderness of northern Canada. He has written a taut tale filled with danger and violence. And at the end, lays the seeds of Alex’s further adventures yet to come. Recommended....more

Steve Hamilton writes clean, full-blooded stories. It's impressive how he packs so much of an experience into relatively few words.

I admit it had been a bit since I'd read the last Alex McKnight and I'd forgotten how much I like Hamilton's style. Light prose that packs a great punch. Blood is the Sky is more of the same. I mean this is only a good way--I don't know if I've read a book of this length (barely over three hundred pages for the mass market paperback) that left me feeling as if I'd bSteve Hamilton writes clean, full-blooded stories. It's impressive how he packs so much of an experience into relatively few words.

I admit it had been a bit since I'd read the last Alex McKnight and I'd forgotten how much I like Hamilton's style. Light prose that packs a great punch. Blood is the Sky is more of the same. I mean this is only a good way--I don't know if I've read a book of this length (barely over three hundred pages for the mass market paperback) that left me feeling as if I'd been on such a long journey through the wringer. So much distance is covered here (and not just in fictional geography), yet it doesn't feel rushed. It's told in a measured enough pace that you can enjoy every bit of it.

McKnight, Hamilton's unconventional on-again, off-again PI, is still an evolving character five books in. His world is small and familiar, but it's interesting to see both his adaptation to it and his resistance to fade away into a tiny corner of the upper peninsula of Michigan. Blood takes place in a broad geographical setting, and Hamilton captures the atmosphere in an impressive way, somehow never bogging the story down with descriptive nonsense.

It's nice to be reminded how much you like a particular thing. Steve Hamilton did that for me with Blood is the Sky. I like these characters, I like this series, and most of all, I like the way he writes.

Recommended for all thriller/mystery fans. Especially those who can appreciate a rich story told with masterful economy....more

Alex McKnight is rebuilding the cabin his father built, destroyed by fire, when his neighbor Vinnie, an Ojibwa Indian, lends a hand. As the fall season wanes and winter threatens to halt construction Alex becomes aware of the disappearance of Vinnie's younger brother Tom. Together they set out in search of Tom, and the Detroit businessmen he was guiding for, in northern Ontario's forests only to discover they're following a cold trail. If things weren't already complicated, Vinnie explains thatAlex McKnight is rebuilding the cabin his father built, destroyed by fire, when his neighbor Vinnie, an Ojibwa Indian, lends a hand. As the fall season wanes and winter threatens to halt construction Alex becomes aware of the disappearance of Vinnie's younger brother Tom. Together they set out in search of Tom, and the Detroit businessmen he was guiding for, in northern Ontario's forests only to discover they're following a cold trail. If things weren't already complicated, Vinnie explains that Tom is using Vinnie's identity as parolees aren't allowed to leave the country.

The party of five have already departed the lodge, according to the owners but things are already not adding up. Vinnie argues there should have been six men in total, the five businessmen and his brother the guide. Hank Gannon, part lodge owner and pilot, assures them they have their own guide and there were only the five businessmen, who insisted they needed no guide and left the cabin in shambles before departing a few days earlier.

Traveling back home, Vinnie becomes involved in a bar fight and Alex, ever one to stand with a friend, gets his own licks in. Morning rousts the two from their hotel room with a call from the local constabulary in the form of Natalie Reynaud and her soon to retire partner, Claude DeMers. Alex and Vinnie are asked to explain their voice mail on the cell of one of the declared missing persons, followed by a lengthy explanation as to the case of mistaken identity between Vinnie and his brother Tom.

Things get even more tangled from this point onward as Alex is convinced there is a lot more going on and even more secrets that aren't being disclosed. He ignores the advice of DeMers and rather than heading home, continues on with his own investigation. When he and Vinnie discover the abandoned suburban used by the hunting party, they are once more encouraged to go home and forget about the case, letting the police handle the investigation.

Once again the two men ignore the advice and soon find themselves in a nightmarish situation and a fight for their lives, not only against an unknown enemy but mother nature as well. Pieces start falling together, the fate of the hunters is discovered, and still there is something missing.

Steve Hamilton's fifth book in the Alex McKnight series will leave you guessing until the last chapters. Filled with friendships, loss, and personal growth, I found myself thoroughly involved in the story and the characters lives, while still surprised at the ending. Alex understands that healing is an ongoing process and by reaching out to others it allows us to heal ourselves a little.

This is my third novel by Steve Hamilton, and the second in the Alex McKnight series. Steve Hamilton is a great writer, I really enjoy his style. This one is set deep in the Canadian wilderness, with a focus on the relationship between Alex and his good friend and neighbor Vinnie. They take a break from rebuilding Alex's cabin to go find out what has happened to Vinnie's brother, who has gone missing up in the Canadian wilderness. A convicted felon on parole, Vinnie's brother Tom has assumed Vi This is my third novel by Steve Hamilton, and the second in the Alex McKnight series. Steve Hamilton is a great writer, I really enjoy his style. This one is set deep in the Canadian wilderness, with a focus on the relationship between Alex and his good friend and neighbor Vinnie. They take a break from rebuilding Alex's cabin to go find out what has happened to Vinnie's brother, who has gone missing up in the Canadian wilderness. A convicted felon on parole, Vinnie's brother Tom has assumed Vinnie's identity in order to enter Canada to act as a guide on a moose hunt for some men up from Detroit.

Hamilton is able to capture and show the culture and lifestyle of the Ojibwa Tribe in this series of novels. In a market that has become quite crowded with series private eye characters, the Alex McNight series stands out....more

Another gripping adventure. Another chance for series hero Alex McKnight to test the limits of human recuperation and recovery.This is a hero who suffers without the assurance of survival. He tells you how badly he is hurt, but never says "It's not supposed to be this way."Bill Belichick says "It is what it is." Alex McKnight says "Pain is not as important as justice." Justice for him is not revenge but rather setting things right when possible, especially when it comes to his friends.We shouldAnother gripping adventure. Another chance for series hero Alex McKnight to test the limits of human recuperation and recovery.This is a hero who suffers without the assurance of survival. He tells you how badly he is hurt, but never says "It's not supposed to be this way."Bill Belichick says "It is what it is." Alex McKnight says "Pain is not as important as justice." Justice for him is not revenge but rather setting things right when possible, especially when it comes to his friends.We should all have a friend like Alex McKnight! Thank you Steve Hamilton for sharing him with us....more

Light entertaining action. Not as good as some of his others but still Very readable. Good friends, good food and a certain amount of humor as well as interesting locations help to keep up the suspense and action. I like his writing style a lot.

Blood is the Sky by Steve Hamilton- Tom Leblanc a young man out on parole trying to get his life back in order.Life and money is hard to come by on the Rez unless you work the casinos but Tom cannot obtain work there as he is a felon.Vinnie Leblanc, Tom's brother who himself has tried to get his life in order. Vinnie deals blackjack at the local casino but is the blacksheep of the family. Vinnie lives off the Rez though at times you would never know it.Vinnie has an offer to guide a hunting partBlood is the Sky by Steve Hamilton- Tom Leblanc a young man out on parole trying to get his life back in order.Life and money is hard to come by on the Rez unless you work the casinos but Tom cannot obtain work there as he is a felon.Vinnie Leblanc, Tom's brother who himself has tried to get his life in order. Vinnie deals blackjack at the local casino but is the blacksheep of the family. Vinnie lives off the Rez though at times you would never know it.Vinnie has an offer to guide a hunting party in Canada, he does not want it and the Canadians frown on outsiders coming to their territory to do guide trips.Vinnie agrees to let Tom be him, giving him his wallet and I.D.. He Has to aid his brother in anyway he can and make sure he stays straight.

Alex McKnight former Detroit Policeman and sometimes private eye.Alex is still recovering from the loss of his partner, his divorce and a bullet lodged near his heart.He is rebuilding one of his cabins destroyed by fire.It is late to be building a cabin but he is determined to try.Vinnie offers to give Alex a hand, though friends their friendship has been strained and perhaps this is a way to let the past go.

Tom and the hunting party are overdue. No one has heard from them and they cannot be reached by phone.Vinnie feeling responsible for Tom is heading to Canada to try and find out what is going on. Alex has few friends, and he holds dearly to the ones he has and the obligations and duties of friendship.He can't let Vinnie go alone. The two head up to a very lonely spot in the Canadian wilderness.What they find leaves them with many questions and as they hunt for the answers to the groups where about they too may just become the hunted.

Steve Hamilton is an excellent author with very believable characters. He paints a clear and telling view of the surrounding environment and the characters themselves. He also gives a glimpse inside the Rez and the feeling towards outsiders but their devotion to friends and upper most to family.I look forward to many more exciting reads from Hamilton in the future....more

At various times in their relationship, Alex McKnight and his best friend, Vinnie Red Sky LeBlanc, an Ojibwa Indian who lives in a nearby cabin rather than on the reservation, find themselves at odds with one another. They always manage to set aside their differences, even though there are sometimes some major issues between them. The relationship between Alex and Vinnie is beautifully drawn. They are definitely brothers in spirit, if not in blood, and come through for each other timRATING: 4.75

At various times in their relationship, Alex McKnight and his best friend, Vinnie Red Sky LeBlanc, an Ojibwa Indian who lives in a nearby cabin rather than on the reservation, find themselves at odds with one another. They always manage to set aside their differences, even though there are sometimes some major issues between them. The relationship between Alex and Vinnie is beautifully drawn. They are definitely brothers in spirit, if not in blood, and come through for each other time and again.

Although it's October and a hard Michigan winter is imminent, Alex is determined to rebuild a burned-down cabin on the campgrounds that he runs. The cabin had originally been constructed by his father, and Alex views it as his legacy. It's almost an impossible task without help. Even though they had experienced a serious rift, Vinnie shows up and begins to help Alex out. Soon the tables are turned, however, when Vinnie confides in Alex that he is worried about his brother, Tom, who was hired to guide a group of men on a hunting trip to Canada. His return date is long past due. Tom had served a short prison term and is on parole in Michigan, which means that he was not allowed to leave the United States. Vinnie can't go to the police about Tom's disappearance, since he let Tom assume his identity in his zeal to help his brother get back on his feet.

Alex and Vinnie follow the leads up to a small hunting lodge in Ontario, Canada, where they turn up more questions than answers. As he always does, Hamilton beautifully describes the setting so that the reader truly feels they are at the location with the characters. The local law enforcement agency becomes involved, as well as the members of a local Canadian Indian tribe. The men move on to a remote lake. What they find there is horrifying beyond words. Stranded in the wilderness, they face many challenges and grievous injuries. The excitement ratchets up to heart-stopping intensity, over and over again. Hamilton is a master of suspense.

Normally, as a reviewer, when I read a book my critical brain is turned on so that I can capture what worked and didn't work for me. However, what I find with Hamilton's books is that I don't do that at all. Instead, I pick up the book and gobble it down without taking a breath, only stopping to do things like eat and sleep. I am so engrossed and engaged that I do not see any flaws whatsoever. To paraphrase a famous movie, "he has me at hello".

Since this is a review, I do feel obligated to offer some critique of the book. Here is what did not work for me: It was too short. It kept me up late. It made me care too much for the characters. It made me laugh and it made me cry. It increased my heart rate to scary levels.

I've read and finished a book a day from this series for the past week, and this is his best work yet. Not only is it a crime thriller, it's also a story about friendship, family, and the past. It tells the story in a way that makes everyone so real that it's hard to put the book down. Highly recommended. In fact, if you haven't read any other Steve Hamilton books, you can start with this one. Each book is stand-alone and can be read out of order if really necessary.

I've been reading these thriller/mysteries in order, and this one is up to the usual standard. I could not imagine what explanation could account for the disappearances and mayhem in this one until it all came together fairly late in the book. And then even tying up the loose ends was exciting. These are all excellent page-turners. Well crafted, good characters, carefully constructed plots.

An excellent adventure, thriller and murder mystery novel! I started it around 10 in the evening, which turned out to be a mistake because I ended up staying awake until 3 am finishing it. And it was worth it. I will certainly be looking up more books in this series--I'll just be careful about what time of day I start to read them!

I'm enjoying this series--more with each book. I started out a little tepid (I had high expectations after reading his book The Lock Artist, which I recommend to people all the time, and at first I was underwhelmed. But he writes interesting characters and situations, and I am getting on board with the low-key personality of Alex McKnight.

Found this series in my local library. I love the character, Alex McKnight, the author has made me emotionally invest in McKnight and root for him while he endures the mysteries and conflict that cross his path and while he tries to get the girl. Great for winter weekends.

Love every single one of Steve Hamilton's Alex McKnight mysteries set in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. In this 2003 work, Alex begins to rebuilt his father's cabin, and Vinnie LeBlanc joins in to help with the heavy lifting. More from Vinnie's reservation, about his Ojibwa family and heritage, great background with healing sweats.

Time and distance are collapsed, as Alex thinks nothing of driving 4-10 hours at a stretch, no matter the weather.

Blood is the Sky reaches so far out in the remote CLove every single one of Steve Hamilton's Alex McKnight mysteries set in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. In this 2003 work, Alex begins to rebuilt his father's cabin, and Vinnie LeBlanc joins in to help with the heavy lifting. More from Vinnie's reservation, about his Ojibwa family and heritage, great background with healing sweats.

Time and distance are collapsed, as Alex thinks nothing of driving 4-10 hours at a stretch, no matter the weather.

Blood is the Sky reaches so far out in the remote Canadian wilderness, it's hard to even imagine. The wealth of lakes and forests and forgotten spaces are wonderful to read about.

Best Steve Hamilton yet. I couldn't put it down to find out what happened even though I know Alex and Vinnie live to be in the next book. A fun break from more serious reading. And still wonderful descriptions of places I have spent a lot of time Bay Mills and the Soo and places I have been Wawa with its goose and Sudbury.

I put this series in the category of "television substitutes," and the books are all thoroughly enjoyable examples of that category. The main character, Alex McKnight; is a former minor league baseball player, a former Detroit cop (who took three bullets during the shooting that killed his partner); and an uninterested, but licensed, private investigator. He considers himself a failure at all three. He lives in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, where he ends up sticking his nose into problems that, inI put this series in the category of "television substitutes," and the books are all thoroughly enjoyable examples of that category. The main character, Alex McKnight; is a former minor league baseball player, a former Detroit cop (who took three bullets during the shooting that killed his partner); and an uninterested, but licensed, private investigator. He considers himself a failure at all three. He lives in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, where he ends up sticking his nose into problems that, inevitably, result in personal injury. While the main character gets beaten up far more than is realistic, he, and the other characters, are quirky and enjoyable to follow.

My only regret is that I've exhausted the entire series in just about a week....more

Love this series. Started reading because they take place in the UP of Michigan - a really beautiful area. Alex McKnight is a great character. And I like learning a little about the Ojibwa Indians. This is the best yet in a great series.

loved it! S Hamilton is getting better with each book. I am not big on coincidences but I can live with the one in this book, wish Hamilton made it a set up instead of a coincidence (without giving anything away, I will leave it vague.) And quite honestly, Hamilton makes the reader think that you can't go into a bar in the Upper Peninsula without running into jackasses and getting beat up, but I know better. Even with these 2 annoying things, I love his books. I read this in one night because Iloved it! S Hamilton is getting better with each book. I am not big on coincidences but I can live with the one in this book, wish Hamilton made it a set up instead of a coincidence (without giving anything away, I will leave it vague.) And quite honestly, Hamilton makes the reader think that you can't go into a bar in the Upper Peninsula without running into jackasses and getting beat up, but I know better. Even with these 2 annoying things, I love his books. I read this in one night because I could not put it down without knowing the "why" and knew if I went to bed without finishing, I would have to read the last chapter and ruin the book for myself....more

This is the third novel I've read by Hamilton. The best was The Lock Artist, which was interesting, inventive, and gripping. This was very good--Hamilton is a capable writer. The story is a bit far fetched and it was hard to suspend my disbelief. Mental chewing gum.

One of the few mysteries set in the upper peninsula of Michigan, where I grew up. I didn't realize that when I bought it.

Alex McKnight is prevailed upon to find a friend's missing brother, who had taken a group of Detroit businessmen on a hunting trip in the wilds of Canada. The more Alex and his friend, Vinnie LeBlanc, look into this the stranger and more dangerous it appears. Alex and Vinnie find themselves far from any help and sitting ducks as targets.

Complicated, absorbing. And with the biOne of the few mysteries set in the upper peninsula of Michigan, where I grew up. I didn't realize that when I bought it.

Alex McKnight is prevailed upon to find a friend's missing brother, who had taken a group of Detroit businessmen on a hunting trip in the wilds of Canada. The more Alex and his friend, Vinnie LeBlanc, look into this the stranger and more dangerous it appears. Alex and Vinnie find themselves far from any help and sitting ducks as targets.

Complicated, absorbing. And with the bits and pieces that spell the atmosphere of the gray cold upper peninsula. ...more

I love all of Steve Hamilton's Alex McKnight's series because all of them are very good and sit on the edge of your seat suspenseful reading! This one, however, is my favorite one! Mr. Hamilton really turns up the heat on this one and I like that! Thanks for another very adventurous read!